Fluid translating apparatus



FLUID TRANSLA'I'ING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 23, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 J O 2 2 t I H U I I a: a

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wnussszs: 2 INVENTOR ATI'O EY 504. H E'mL EHRE-r. 7? s V A E. EHRET FLUID TRANSLATING APPARATUS Oct. 25, 1938.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed Aug. 23, 1934 om-w ll A 3052:! uumtzonfi J ATTOR Y an OJQl-it IPUJQ= WITNESSESz Oct. 25, 1938. EH ET 2,134,077

FLUID TRANS-LATING APPARATUS Emu. EHRCT Patented Oct. 2 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,134,077 FLUID TBANSLATING APPARATUS Emil Ehret, Forest Hills,

Pa., assignor to Westing- I house Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa.,

a corporation of Pennsylvania 6 Claims.

My invention relates to fluid translating apparatus, more particularly to a multi-cylinder reciprocating compressor, and it has for an object to provide improved apparatus.

A further object is to provide a construction of fluid translating apparatus wherein the cylinder head may be removed in a relatively simple manner without disconnecting pipes connected to inlet and outlet chambers in the cylinder head.

A further object is to provide fluid translating apparatus wherein auxiliary apparatus, such as oil separator and muiiier, are incorporated in a simple manner.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a crank case member having inlet and outlet headers; cylinder members in which the cylinders are formed and having inlet and outlet passages communicating with said headers; and cylinder heads having inlet and outlet chambers providing communication between the cylinders and the inlet and outlet passages.

The above and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a reciprocating compressor embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the compressor, with certain parts removed, as seen on the line 11-41 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line III-III of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3, showing the oil separator in the inlet header; and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line VV of Fig. 3, showing the mufller in the discharge header.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I show a reciprocating compressor ill comprising a plurality of cylinders disposed in a row and driven by a motor H of any suitable type. The compressor includes a crank case H, the major portion of which, in the present embodiment is a single casting. This casting has top, side, and bottom wall portions which are integral with each other, the side and bottom wall portions closing substantially the entire sides and bottom of the crank case. A crank shaft It is mounted in the crankcase, being journalled in bearings formed in discs 14 detachably secured in the crankcase. An opening I5 is formed in the crankcase at the end remote from the motor H, through which the crank shaft I3 and the discs I are removable as anassembly. The opening I5 is closed by a cover plate I 5, which carries a lubricant pump I1 driven by the crank shaft l3 through a key and slot connection l8. The cover plate i6 also carries an oil filter 20 projecting, through an opening i9 into the lower portion of the crankcase, which forms a lubricant reservoir.

According to the present invention, the cylinders are formed by separate cylinder members 2|, each of which, in the present embodiment, forms two cylinders 22. Each cylinder member is secured to the crankcase on a horizontal plane of division designated 23, and has a flange 24 seating on the flat finished surface provided on the crankcase along said plane 23, being secured thereto by tap bolts 25. The crankcase is formed with a circular opening 25 for each cylinder member, through which the connecting rods 21 are extended. The latter connect pistons 28 in the cylinders 22 to "the crank shaft I3, being secured by bolts and nuts 28' to crank pins 29 between discs 30 of the crank shaft, which latter are concentric with the axis of the crank shaft.

Each cylinder member 2| is provided with a cylinder head 3|, having an inlet or suction chamber 32 and a discharge chamber 33 divided by a partition 34, both chambers being common to the two cylinders 22. A valve assembly 35 is interposed between the cylinder member and the cylinder head, and includes a suction valve 36 for each cylinder providing communication between the suction chamber 32 and the cylinder, and a discharge valve 31 for each cylinder which permits flow of compressed refrigerant from the cylinder into the discharge chamber 33. The cylinder head 3! is secured to the cylinder member 2| by means of bolts 38, the valve assembly 35 being clamped between the cylinder head and the cylinder member.

According to the present invention, the crankcase is formed with an integral inlet or suction header 39 extending along one side of the row of cylinders. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, an oil separator 4| is disposed within the header 39. The gaseous fluid to be compressed, which is conveyed through a suction conduit 39a and a shutoff valve 39b, enters the header through an inlet opening 42 and passes through the oil separator II. The oil separated from the vapor flows downwardly by gravity through a passage 43 in the crankcase to the lubricant reservoir in the bottom thereof. The header 39 is formed the condenser (not shown).

member, extending upwardly and terminating- 23. The oil separator in the plane of division of the header 39 4| is inserted through the end adjacent the motor It, which end is closed by a cover plate 40. 1

A discharge header 46 is also formed integrally with the crankcase on the opposite side of the row of cylinders. It is formed with connecting passages 46 extending to the plane of division 23, one passage 46 being provided for each cylinder member, and with an outlet opening 51. A muilier 48 is provided within the discharge header 46. This mumer comprises a foraminated tubular sheet metal member, rectangular in cross section, as shown in Fig. 3. Strips of screen 6| are wound around the tubular member 49 in the spaces between adjacent passages 46. At the passages 46, the adjacent strips of screen 6i are spaced to provide a passage for the gaseous fluid. Stacks of vertically disposed screens 62 and 63 are wedged in the discharge header 46 on opposite sides of the strips of screen 6|, the screens 62 having recesses 54 adjacent the passages 46, to provide additional passageway for the gaseous fluid to enter the interior of the tubular member 48. The compressed fluid enters through the several passages 46, between adjacent screens 6! into the interior of the tubular member 49, then outwardly through the outlet 61, a shut-off valve 46a, and a conduit 66b to The header 46 has an open and adjacent the motor ll, through which the muiiier 48 may be inserted, and which is closed by an end plate 60.

Each cylinder member 2| is formed with an inlet passage .66 which is common to the two cylinders 22. The lower end of the passage 66 terminates in the plane of.division 23 and communioates with the passage 44 of the inlet header 39. The upper end of the passage 66 terminates in a plane 66, which defines the upper surface of the cylinder member 2| and against which the valve assembly 36 bears. The valve assembly 36 is provided with an opening 61 registering with the passage 66 and providing communication between the passage 66 and the inlet chamber 32 in the cylinder head.

The cylinder member 2! is further formed with an outlet or discharge passage 68, also common to the two cylinders 22 and disposed on the opposite side of the cylinder member. The lower end of the passage 68 terminates in the plane of division 23, in registry with the passage 46. The upper end of the passage 68 terminates in the plane 66, and the valve assembly 36 is formed with an opening 68 providing communication between the discharge chamber 33 and the passage 68.- g

In operation, gaseous fluid to be compressed, from the conduit 36a and valve 381), enters the inlet manifold through the inlet opening 42. Any oil entrained in the gaseous fluid, which is a condition encountered particularly in the case ofrefrigerating compressors, is separated by the oil separator 4| and flows by gravity through the passage 43 to the bottom of. the crankcase. The

gaseous fluid flows upwardly through the several passages 44, the passages 66, the openings 61, the inlet chambers 32 and the inlet valves 36 into the cylinders 22. Upon upward movement of the pistons 28, the gas is compressed and discharged through the discharge valves 31, the discharge chambers 33, the openings 69, the pas sages 68 and 46, through the tubular member 49 of the mufller 48, and outwardly through the opening 41 of the discharge header, 46a and conduit 46b.

In disassemblingthe cy der head, it is only necessary to remove the cylinder head, and also the valve assembly 36, may be removed without disconnecting any pipes extending to the cylinder head or any other fluid inlet or outlet connections, which would otherwise be necessary, as in the prior constructions. This is possible because the gaseous fluid is admitted and discharged through the plane of division between the valve assembly and'the cylinders. Furthermore, the cylinder members may be likewise removed from the crankcase, by removing the tap bolts 26, without disengaging additional inlet or outlet connections. The connecting rods 21 may then be disconnected from the crank shaft by inserting a wrench through the opening 26 in the crankcase to remove the nuts 28'. The cover plate I6 is removed, and the crank shaft 13, with the bearing discs l4 thereon, may then be withdrawn through'the to the valve bolts 38, whereupon the opening l6, after which the bearing discs may be detached from the crank shaft.

From the above description, it will be seen that I have provided a compressor construction, for a plurality of cylinders, which may be dismantled without removing the crankcase or disturbing any pipe connections. The compressor may be isolated from the remainder of the refrigerant circuit by closing the shut-oi! valves 39!) and 46a.

A further advantage of the present construction is that a single inlet and outlet for the entire group of cylinders is provided. The utilination of inlet and discharge headers for the oil separator and muiiier eliminates the necessity for additional space which would otherwise be required and provides a more compact piece of apparatus.

The construction of the crankcase provides a maximum of unbroken or integral wall area and reduces to a minimum the number and length of joints, thereby reducing the possibility of leakage.

while I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is: J

1. In a fluid translating machine, the combination of a crankcase member, a plurality of cylinder members secured to said crankcase member and arranged in a row and each having a cylinder formed therein, said crank case member having an inlet header on one side of said row and an outlet header on the other side thereof,,both headers being formed integrally with theorankcase member, each of said cylinder members having inlet and outlet passages formed integrally therewith and communicating with said inlet and outlet headers, respectively, a cylinder head for each cylinder member having inlet and outlet chambers providing communication between said cylinder and said inlet and outlet passages, respectively, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between each cylinder and the associated inlet and outlet passages.

2. In a compressor, the combination of cylinder means having formed therein -a plurality of ment with the ends of the cylinders and an outlet passage adjacent and commonto the pair of cylinders and terminating in alinement with the ends of the cylinders; a separate cylinder head for each pair of cylinders, each head having an inlet chamber communicating with both cylinders and said common inlet passage, and an outlet chamber communicating with both cylinders and said common outlet passage and having a partition between the inlet and outlet chambers extending across each cylinder; valve means clamped between each cylinder head and the-associated cylinders and including an inlet valve controlling communication between the inlet chamber and each cylinder and an outlet valve controlling flow between each cylinder and said outlet chamber; means clamped between each cylinder head and the cylinder means providing communication between the inlet chamber and the common inlet passage and communication between the outlet chamber and the common outlet passage; and means providing communication between the several inlet passages and a common inlet therefor, and communication between the several outlet passages and a common outlet therefor.

3. In a compressor, the'combination of cylinder means having formed therein a plurality 01' pairs of cylinders, said cylinders being arranged in a row; said cylinder means having formed therein an inlet passage adjacent and common to each pair of cylinders and terminating in alignment with the ends of the cylinders and an outlet passage adjacent and common to the pair of cylinders and terminating in alignment with the ends of the cylinder; a separate cylinder head for each pair of cylinders, each head having an inlet chamber communicating with both cylinders and said common inlet passage, and an outlet chamber communicating with both cylinders and said common outlet passage and having a partition between the inlet and outlet chambers extending across each cylinder; valve means clamped between each cylinder head and the associated cylinders and including an inlet valve controlling communication between the inlet chamber and each cylinder and an outlet valve controlling flow between each cylinder and said outlet chamber; and means clamped between each cylinder head and the cylinder means providing communication between the inlet chamber and the common inlet passage and communication between the outlet chamber and the common outlet passage.

4. In a compressor, the combination of cylinder means having formed therein a plurality of pairs of cylinders, said cylinders being arranged in a row; said cylinder means having formed therein an outlet passage adjacent and common to each pair of cylinders and terminating in alignment with the ends oi the cylinders; a separate cylinder head for each pair of cylinders,

each head having an inlet chamber communicating with both cylinders and an outlet chamber communicating with both cylinders and said common outlet passage and having a partition between the inlet and outlet chambers extending across each cylinder; valve means clamped between each cylinder head and the associated cylinders and including an inlet valve controlling communication between the inlet chamber and each cylinder and an outlet valve controlling flow between each cylinder and said outlet chamber; means clamped between each cylinder head and the cylinder means providing communication'between the outlet chamber and the common outlet passage; and means providing communication between the several outletpassages and a common outlet therefor.

5. In a compressor, the combination of cylinder means having formed therein a plurality of pairs of cylinders, said cylinders being arranged in a row; said cylinder means having formed therein an outlet passage adjacent and common to each pair of cylinders and terminating in alignment with the ends of the cylinders and also having inlet passages formed therein; a separate cylinder head for each pair of cylinders, each head having an outlet chamber communicating with both cylinders and said common outlet passage; valve means clamped between each cylinder head and the associated cylinders and including an outlet valve controlling flow between each cylinder and 'said outlet chamber; valve means controlling flow between each cylinder and an inlet passage; means clamped between each cylinder head and the cylinder means providing communication between the outlet chamber and the common outlet passage; and means providing communication between the several outlet passages and a common outlet therefor.

6. In a compressor, the combination of cylinder means having formed therein a plurality oi pairs of cylinders, said cylinders being arranged in a row; said cylinder means having formed therein an inlet passage adjacent and common to each pair of cylinders and terminating in alignment with the ends of the cylinders, a separate cylinder head for each pair of cylinders, each cylinder head having an inlet chamber communicating with both cylinders and said common inlet passage and an outlet chamber communicating with both cylinders and having a partition between the inlet and outlet chambers extending across each cylinder; valve means clamped between each cylinder head and the associated cylinders and including an inlet valve controlling communication between the inlet chamber and each cylinder; means clamped between each cylinder head and cylinder means providing communication between the inlet chamber and the common inlet passage; and means providing communication between the several inlet passages and a common inlet theretor.

EMIL EHREI. 

